The Birthday Boy

I can't believe that 12 years ago this sweet and amazing bundle of joy came into my life.

He is such an wonderful young man.  He is kind and loving and oh so talented.  I love the boy he was and the young man he is becoming.  I am so blessed that God gave me the chance to be his mom. My life would be so empty without him. 

Happy Birthday "B"!

Saturday's Cocktail

For this week's cocktail, I wanted to do a variation of a smoothie I make for my kid.  Of course his version is not spiked!

You will need:

1 can orange juice concentrate
1 cup milk (any kind is fine - whole, skim, soy ... etc.)
1/2 cup of sugar or sugar substitute to taste
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
2 cups ice or to taste

Combine all ingredients, except ice, in a large blender and blend until smooth and creamy, make sure all the sugar has dissolved and is well incorporated. If desired, add a splash more water or more milk. Add the ice and blend until smooth.

I added 1 to 2 ounces of my favorite coconut rum and I've also added Pinnacle Whipped Vodka to each serving. Makes approximately three eight-ounce servings

Cheers!

Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes

Today I made Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting.  They were for a co-worker who is on Weight Watchers and doesn't bake.  These cupcakes are so easy to make and so is the frosting and the BEST part is that they're only 4 points.  I've been on Weight Watchers since last August and have found so many amazing and yummy recipies that I thought I should start sharing some. 

The cupcakes consist of:
(1) box spice cake mix
(1) can packed pumpkin

Mix the 2 ingredients together with a mixer and fill muffin tins that have been lined 2/3 full. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes until done.

While they're cooking I made the icing.

The icing consists of:
(1) 8oz. pkg Neufchatel cream cheese - softened
(1) cup confectioners sugar
(1) tsp. vanilla extract

Mix together with a mixer until creamy. 

Once the cupcakes were cool, I put the icing in a piping bag and piped some icing on each cupcake.  I was supposed to use all the icing, but I really didn't need to. 

They turned out so yummy and the birthday girl loved them!

Enjoy!

Sunday's Inspiration

Saturday's Cocktail

This week's cocktail is a Summer Sangria with Rum

You'll need:

bottle red wine
1 cup light rum (such as Bacardi Puerto Rican Rum)
1 cup simple syrup (see recipe below)
2 plums, pitted and sliced
1 pint cherries, pitted
1 pint strawberries, sliced
sprig of mint, optional
12 oz lime soda
ice (optional)

METHOD

In a pitcher or glass bowl, combine wine, rum, and fruit. Gently muddle the fruit into the alcohol by pressing and stirring with a large spoon. Stir in the simple syrup (and mint if desired), cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate until chilled, at least 1-2 hours. Before serving, stir in the lime soda. Serve over ice if you wish.

Simple Syrup

Makes 1 cups.

You'll need:

• 1 cup water
• 1 cup sugar

METHOD

Combine water and sugar in a saucepan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to low and simmer until sugar dissolves, about 3-4 minutes. Cool completely.

Cheers!